Sikorsky MH-60R wins Danish Maritime Helicopter Competition

The Danish Ministry of Defence has announced that it will acquire the Sikorsky/Lockheed Martin MH-60R Seahawk as its new maritime helicopter. 

The Romeo has beaten out Agusta Westland which had offered its AW159 Lynx Wildcat for the Danish Maritime Helicopter programme. The third contender, the Eurocopter AS565 Panther, had already been eliminated from the helicopter competition in early 2012.

The US Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) had indicated in November 2010 that the Danish government was contemplating a possible purchase of up to 12 MH-60R Multi-Mission Helicopters together with associated parts, equipment and logistical support for an estimated cost of $2.0 billion. 

However, it has now emerged that only nine aircraft will be acquired. As part of the package, a Seahawk full motion simulator will be built at the Danish air force base at Karup. 

According to current planning, the Helicopter Wing of the Danish Air Force will receive its first MH-60Rs in mid-2016. Deliveries will continue to 723 Squadron until mid-2018 and the Seahawk is expected to remain in Danish service for at least 30 years. 

Full operational capability with MH-60R should be achieved in late 2017 by which time withdrawal of the Lynx Mk90B shipborne helicopters will have commenced. 

The Danish air force took over the ageing Westland Lynx fleet from the navy in January 2011 and eight examples remained in service in early 2012.  Phase-out of the Lynx from Danish service will have been completed by mid 2018.

Just like their US Navy equivalents, the Danish MH-60Rs will be outfitted with the Raytheon AN/AAS-44C(V) Multi-Spectral Targeting System and the Lockheed Martin AN/ALQ-210 Electronic Support Measures system. 

The new maritime helicopter will greatly improve Denmark’s anti-submarine and surface warfare capability due to the Telephonics AN/APS-153 Multi-Mode Radar (MMR) which is integrated into the Lockheed Martin Common Cockpit avionics. 

This radar features an integrated Identification Friend or Foe interrogator and a high resolution Inverse Synthetic Aperture Radar (ISAR) imaging mode. The MMR is also optimized for long and short range detection and small target/periscope detection. 

The MH-60R will also provide an improved SAR and anti-ship surveillance capability when operating from the Danish Absalon class combat support ships and Iver Huitfeldt class frigates.

In addition to VHF, UHF and SATCOM radios, the Danish Seahawks will be equipped with a HF radio to ensure communications when operating over Arctic waters. A so-called SINE radio terminal will also be added in order to be able to communicate with national emergency services (SINE is the Danish emergency communications network).